At times like this as an Arsenal fan it is easy to find yourself questioning the attitude and the desire of the players. Particularly on the back of a limp second-half performance against a team with the spirit and passion Spurs showed.

However, we find ourselves in a differing football era to the one when the likes of Bob Wilson, Rocky and Tony Adams talked of the cannon on the chest and remembering whom you represent.

We expect the players to pull on the Arsenal red and white and wear the Cannon with pride. We still entertain the idea that when our players flounder, it is their inability to bear the weight of expectation, which comes with that Cannon.

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Perhaps for some players that is still the case or I would like to think it was at least, but when the going gets tough, certain players know they can leave and earn as much - if not more - elsewhere.

The disparity in organisation and structure between Spurs and Arsenal was painfully obvious at that is down to the respective coaching staff.

Sadly, the desire, belief and will to win was also starkly different and this is a huge concern. Of course, passion and commitment without quality is not enough and that is not what I am saying at all but as supporters, we will forgive much if those traits are obvious.

A dejected Arsene Wenger at White Hart Lane.

We are therefore unlikely to be forgiving when the traits we take as a given in any game are not displayed by all our players in the North London derby.

It is odd, because in recent times we have seen lesser Arsenal teams battle for undeserved results against the old enemy – The 1-0 win at the Lane when Tomas Rosicky scored early on is a perfect example of this.

I guess I am thinking about three types of player and some might fit in to more than one category here. If a player has progressed through the ranks at Arsenal from a young age he owes the club so much and will have been educated in the ‘Arsenal Way’ and believe me this is a real thing at our club.

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If a player was signed by Arsenal or Wenge, as a relative unknown and became a top player at the club, you would hope for huge loyalty and commitment to the cause. Lastly and perhaps the smallest but most significant would be the player who grew up a Gooner and then got the opportunity to actually play for his own team.

Would this team lie down in the second half of a North London derby next season?

Goalkeeper - Wojciech Szczesny: Dad was a Gooner, he was brought up a Gooner and has been at the club since he was a teenager.

Right-back - Hector Bellerin: Arrived from Spain as a teenage and has blossomed into a Spanish international at Arsenal. He may return to Barcelona but right now, he is a Gooner.

The last time Spurs finished above Arsenal in the league was the 1994/95 season (Image: PhilCole/Allsport)

Left-back - Kieran Gibbs: Rescued from Wimbledon when they departed for Milton Keynes and been at Arsenal since he was 15. Restricted to cameos by the form of Monreal, but he has never complained or agitated. Top Gooner.

Centre-back - Laurent Koscielny: Our current skipper, who has a release clause in his contract should we not make the Champions League. A player who arrived as an unknown but is now universally acclaimed as one of the best central defenders in world football. Now one of our own.

Centre-back - Rob Holding: A young English talent given his Premier League break by Arsenal and I sense his love affair with the club began the day he walked through the door. This boy could be a Gooner legend and a future captain.

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Central midfield - Aaron Ramsey: On his day among the best box to box midfielders in the league but needs to play in a system that works for him if we are to see his best. What is not in doubt is he his commitment and energy levels on the pitch and that he is the fittest player barring perhaps Alexis. Let us not forget he chose Arsenal over United. Gooner!

Central midfield - Jack Wilshere: Keep him fit and he is one of the best there is. He has been at the club since he was nine years old. Not in his nature to give less than 100% for the shirt, which in tacking has been his downfall but his blood still runs red and white and he hates Tottenham.

Midfield - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: A frustrated and frustrating individual but one who certainly understand the meaning of playing for the Cannon. His recent maturity in post-match interview had demonstrated that he has grown up this year. His football brain now needs to mature to match his natural ability.

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Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal

Forward - Alex Iwobi: Undoubted talent in need of a shot of confidence right now but another like Jack who has been at the club since boyhood. No doubting his Gooner credentials

Forward - Theo Walcott: Our longest serving player and one who certainly does represent the club well off and on the pitch. He has never quite fulfilled his entire potential but he has had so many gaps in his career and still has time on his side. Our most natural finisher without question.

Forward - Danny Welbeck: This final player does not truly fall into any of the categories that I described above but can anyone doubt that Danny is a Gooner? Honestly? If Welbeck can add some composure in front of goal to all his other attributes, he will be one hell of a striker.

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Obviously, I hope the club resolve their issues, appoint a new coaching staff and we progress with some of the world class talent we have but if we cannot then I want players who want to play for Arsenal.